Re: [RC] [gr] RE: Malibu ride (long) - Merryben
In a message dated 6/17/2002 7:39:10 PM Central Daylight Time, thomas@xxxxxxxxx writes:
There was the controversy in the LD about that lady with the kids
from the riding school again. Apparently they were observed cutting trail
twice, once a small bit and once significant. One of her juniors was 1/2
mile from the sponsor and didn't know where her sponsor was. She was
encouraged to find her and the kid ended up winning the LD and BCing. All
the kids/sponsor finished 1-5 with quite a bit of time between them and the
next rider which gives credence to the trail cut. The kid's parents were
clapping and cheering at the awards and no one else was. I just love
someone who teaches kids that to cheat is to win. Maybe they got the AREC
motto screwed up!
If this is true and accurate, they should have been disqualified. What was the RM thinking, or did anyone bother to tell him or her. Juniors are not exempt. One of my juniors overrode her horse at QSER and was pulled at the finish for a lame horse. She was 10th place. As the vet said, just because she is young and cute doesn't mean she doesn't get the same treatment.
Both of my juniors rode Cooley Ranch with another sponsor because I was the secretary and also because I only have two horses in shape and they both wanted to ride. I tell them that I will check with their sponsor at the end of the ride and if they did not behave, they will not get their completions. I told them they are my horses and I can pull them if I want. I just tell them this to reinforce the fact that sponsors want to have a good time and don't need aggravation. These kids pack their crew bags themselves and have never ridden a ride with a crew. They take care of the horses and are polite to other riders at all times. This riding school lady needs to be disqualified along with her juniors and maybe they will find another person with a little more integrity and honor to teach them about what endurance riding really means......Read the junior article and check out the picture of a happy 12 year old on her first ride, the CFW 50 miler in the next EN and you will see what juniors can be like.
Maryben Stover
Chair of AERC Junior Committee
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